Accessory attachment system for watercraft

Abstract

An accessory attachment interface usable with watercraft includes a one-piece member having a tubular portion and a flange portion. The tubular portion defines a cylindrical bore and the flange portion defines first and second flanges. The first and second flanges are coplanar with each other and with a plane that is tangential to the tubular portion. The first and second flanges cooperate with each other to define a substantially planar surface. The accessory attachment interface provides a boat owner with a common interface for mounting a variety of hardware and accessories to the boat without occupying any space in the passenger area of the boat.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A watercraft comprising:
 a deck; 
 at least one surface below the deck; 
 a first accessory attachment interface mounted to said at least one surface; 
 a second accessory attachment interface mounted to said at least one surface; 
 said first accessory attachment interface including a one-piece extruded aluminum member having a tubular portion and a flange portion, said tubular portion defining a respective cylindrical bore, said flange portion defining first and second flanges, said first and second flanges being coplanar with each other and a plane that is tangential to the tubular portion, and said first and second flanges cooperating with each other to define a substantially planar surface; and 
 wherein the second accessory attachment interface is substantially identical to the first accessory mounting interface; 
 a first bracket member extending horizontally from the bore of the first accessory attachment interface past an edge of the deck; and 
 a second bracket member extending horizontally from the bore of the second accessory attachment past the edge of the deck; and 
 a hammock mounted at one end to the first bracket member and mounted at the other end to the second bracket member. 
 
     
     
       2. The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the boat has a bow, and wherein the hammock is forward of the bow.